Shueisha has been enforcing their copyright policies in recent days. These recent copyright strikes have allegedly not only affected scans of their intellectual property; but also fanart and at least one employee who has created official promotional material for the publisher.
Twitter user @newworldartur was one among the affected and shared the message they received from Shueisha. The message linked to over 60 alleged infringements of Shueisha’s copyright of titles One Piece and Dragon Ball Super.
Dear Sirs/Ma’am,
SHUEISHA Inc. conveys information and entertain millions each day through many forms of communication-including the printed word. As one of Japan’s leading publishers, our publications encompass a wide range of subjects and genres, from MANGA(=comic) and entertainment magazines to literature, art, children’s and reference books.
I, the undersigned, CERTIFY UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY that I am an agent authorized to act on behalf of Shueisha (http://www.shueisha.co.jp) whose exclusive copyrights are being infringed. The information in this notice is accurate.
The work in question is copyrighted Japanese Manga artwork from the, title(s):
One Piece https://mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/titles/100020
Dragon Ball Super https://mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/titles/200025
Dragon Ball
Manga/Japanese artwork and characters published by SHUEISHA Inc are being used without authorization. This is an unauthorized use and reproduction of original manga works. I have a good faith belief that the items or materials listed below are not authorized by the above owners, their agents or the law and therefore infringe the owner’s rights. Please act expeditiously to remove or disable access to the infringing materials or items listed as follows – the images, videos and/or download links at the following URL(s):
Among those accused by Shueisha of copyright infringement is Twitter user @fenyo_n, an artist who has worked for Shueisha creating official promotional material for Dragon Ball Super.
Shueisha is one of Japan’s largest manga publishers and releases the popular magazines Weekly Shonen Jump, Ultra Jump, and many others. Shueisha also owns a large portion of English publisher VIZ Media.
What makes this enforcement by Shueisha so unusual is that typically manga publishers and artists have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with fan creators. Unofficial doujins and artwork are constants at fan conventions like Comiket.
Shueisha’s strict enforcement comes at an unusual time, only a week after Studio Khara released their own stricter guidelines for fanworks of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
